“If anyone
wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

These words of Jesus can help us this week to reflect
on our way of life in family, in community, and in society.

The most beloved, most respected and most important
people in human history are those who have lived at the service of others. I
will mention some names and you can certainly add others to this list.

Jesus, Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, Martin
Luther King, Mother Teresa and Pope Francis. These are people to follow and to
imitate.

Let's talk about Pope Francis who is currently in
Cuba.

Newspapers say that Pope Francis is the most
recognized person today and the most beloved person in the world.

I think that Pope Francis is the first person now
because he is at the service of everyone especially the weakest, and those who
are despised by society: refugees, immigrants, the sick, the disabled, and
those who feel excommunicated or rejected by the Church. Pope Francis is
leading a great revolution in the Church and in the world.

Pope Francis lives what he preaches. From the first
day of his election as bishop of Rome he has not ceased to show, through his
way of life, that service to others is the best way for disciples to
imitate Christ, and to walk on the privileged path to happiness. These days
let’s follow and listen to Pope Francis. He will be with other world leaders in
Cuba, the United States and the United Nations. Pope Francis is showing us that
when we put ourselves at the service of others, not in search of power, money
or glory, we are regarded by others and by God as the most blessed of all.
Let’s thank the Lord for the life of Pope Francis. Let’s pray that he keeps his
strength and wisdom serving as he has always done.

Hopefully, the world leaders, the rich, the powerful
and those who hold important positions in society and in the Church will
understand that if they wish to be first, they must put themselves at the
service of everyone.

Let’s pray that we also can be servants of our
brothers and sisters around us in our families, in the community and at work.